Most Indy Car fans can’t just pick up and go to all Indy Car races, such as the one being held in Sonoma this weekend. In years past many loyal Indy Car fans chose to gather at the location that has been the heart and soul of the sport, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The preferred spot was mostly the cramped but always lively Flag Room just off of what was the lobby of the recently demolished motel.
The first and last races of the year were always popular there, and all races in between were always also well attended. Lately, however, the ambivalence of IMS about its rich history has basically sent a message to fans that pays its bills that they are not really welcome there now. Its menu was recently gutted and now only includes a few basic bland bar food items.
This makes Indy Car fans sad. The presence of spirits around that particular compound is palpable. Reasons why the motel was demolished are sound, but was it wise? Probably not. Destruction of that much history cannot be good from a karma standpoint. IMS has created for itself vast open, graveled wasteland devoid of any 
personality or history around 16th and Georgetown, and the neighborhoods on three sides of the great track have become run-down slums, ghettos or barrios. Cost saving measures are painfully obvious in many parts of the facility.
Other than green-lighting the destruction of the historic motel, Tony George had his fingers on the pulse of IMS and kept it in a state of continual renewal. We hope his successors and other members of his family grow to understand why it became the legendary institution it did over decades. Systematic destruction of its fabric does not bode well.
The ONE lesson Tony Hulman taught by example was nurturing the place and making it better the next year than it was the year before. That lesson appears to have been lost on the people now in charge.
Defender of IndyCar 
Aren’t you the one always telling people that Tony is no longer in charge and to move on? Tony was removed because of the financial performance of the Speedway.
Editor’s Note: What, in the name of God Almighty, does your quaint observation have even remotely to do with Flag Room nostalgia or upkeep of IMS, which is the topic of the blog? Why do you cart-centric idiots ALWAYS have to immediately turn innocent observations into something sinister? When will you people find the courage and ability to GROW UP?
Let’s see, you mentioned how the place is kind of going downhill, suggested the current leadership does not follow Tony Hulman’s example and then claimed your hero the youthful Anton had “his fingers on the pulse” That’s where I came up with that.
Editor’s Note: What does your quaint yet seriously idiotic perception that has me positioned as the deposed Mr. George’s biggest fan actually have to do with the topic? From where did you watch yesterday’s race? I noticed the track was pleased because they indicated Indy Car was the only series that races there that increased ticket sales.
from the source…
Infineon Raceway officials estimated attendance at Sunday’s race at 40,000, the same as last year.
“In this economy, level is the new up,” said Infineon Raceway President Steve Page.
and of course, from our know-it-all blogger…
I noticed the track was pleased because they indicated Indy Car was the only series that races there that increased ticket sales.
any more questions???
Jay
Yes. One. Do you want to dress down Versus, Bob Jenkins and other members of the media for lying on national television and in print or would you like me to? At the beginning of yesterday’s telecast Jenkins indicated track management was happy because Indy Car was the only series that showed an attendance increase over last year. This was reiterated by members of the media who also attended.
well defender, seeing as versus and other members of the media (who never ever lie or stretch the truth), have stated their position, then i guess the president of the infineon does not know what he is talking about then, in regards to his own racetrack.
media always have an agenda, you should know that if your claims to be an insider are to believed. what is believable is exactly what the track president stated. on top of that, if you watched the event, the vast amounts of empty seats told a damning story for the event as well.
Jay
Editor’s Note: Other than a handful of you clueless, blithering idiots, who really cares? The crowd was obviously up from last year. I have both races on the DVR and all anyone needs to do for proof is to open their eyes. So someone is lying. It’s either Jenkins/Versus or the track officials. If you are petty and immature enough to even believe it is important enough to care about, then you probably ought to seek professional psychiatric help.